Method and apparatus of selecting an item

Abstract

A method and an apparatus of selecting an item rapidly and with a high degree of precision in devices including but not limited to portable terminals. The method of selecting an item includes: displaying a cursor having an area where an item can be selected; checking an item located in the area; and recognizing the item in the area as a selection schedule item. A user may quickly select a desired item to execute a properly corresponding function.

1 . A method of selecting an item, comprising:
 displaying a cursor having a defined area where an item can be selected;   determining at least one item is located within the area of the cursor; and   recognizing the item within the area of the cursor as a selection schedule item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining at least one item comprises determining a quantity of items located in the area of the cursor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining an item further comprises recognizing a corresponding item as the selection schedule item when only one item is located in the area of the cursor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein determining an item further comprises:
 determining whether a point of the cursor formed in the area of the cursor is located on an item when a plurality of items are located in the area; and   recognizing an item in which the point is located as the selection schedule item when the point is located on the item.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining an item further comprises:
 measuring distances between the point of the cursor and a plurality of items located in the area when the point is not located on an any item; and   recognizing at least one item having a minimum distance from the crosshair among the plurality of items as being the selection schedule item.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein determining an item further comprises:
 determining a quantity of items having the minimum distance from the point of the cursor;   measuring an occupied area of a plurality of items in the cursor area when the quantity of items having the minimum distance with the point is a plural quantity; and   recognizing an item having a maximum area as the selection schedule item.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising recognizing at least one item from among the items located in the area except for the selection schedule item as a candidate item. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising changing and displaying a graphic pattern to distinguish the selection schedule item from at least one item except for the selection schedule item. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising changing and displaying a graphic pattern to distinguish the candidate item from the selection schedule item and at least one item located in areas other than the defined area of the cursor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying a cursor comprises:
 measuring a quantity of items located on a screen for displaying a cursor;   calculating a size of an area where an item is selectable in response to the measured quantity of items; and   displaying a cursor having an area of calculated size where an item is selectable.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying a cursor comprises:
 dividing a screen for displaying a cursor into at least one area and measuring a quantity of items included in each area;   calculating a size of an area wherein an item is selectable in response to the measured quantity of items in the respective areas;   determining a location to display the cursor; and   displaying a cursor having an area of calculated size wherein an item is selectable on the checked location.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus of selecting an item, comprising:
 a display unit that displays a cursor having a defined area where an item is selectable and at least one selectable item;   an input unit which generates an input signal for the cursor having an area where an item is selectable; and   a controller which determines items located in the area of the cursor and recognizes the items located in the area as a selection schedule item.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the controller determines a quantity of the items located in the area. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the controller recognizes a corresponding item as the selection schedule item when only one item is located in the area of the cursor. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the controller determines whether a point of the cursor formed in the area is located on an item when a plurality of items are located in the area, and recognizes an item in which the point is located as the selection schedule item when the point is located on the item. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the controller measures distances between the point and a plurality of items located in the area; and recognizes at least one item having a minimum distance from the point among the plurality of items as the selection schedule item. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the controller measures an occupied area of items in the area of the cursor, and recognizes an item having a maximum area as the selection schedule item. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the controller recognizes items among the items located in the area of the cursor except for the selection schedule item as a candidate item. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the display unit changes to display a graphic pattern to distinguish the selection schedule item from at least one item except for the selection schedule item. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the controller measures a quantity of items located on a screen for displaying a cursor, and extracts a size of an area where an item can be selected in response to the measured quantity of items.